Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records
Georgia · Vital Records
dph.georgia.gov/ways-request-vital-record/deathState Vital Records in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Georgia. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Steps to take when someone dies
- •Online: Order through ROVER, the state's online ordering page, with a major debit or credit card
- •Online: Order through VitalChek, a third-party vendor (VitalChek help line 877-572-6343)
- •Online: Order through GO Certificates, a third-party vendor
- •By mail: Mail completed Form 3912 with a money order or certified check and a copy of photo ID
- •In person: Visit the State Office of Vital Records lobby in Atlanta or any county vital records office
- •Signature and picture ID
- •Proper fee
- •Proof of relationship where the form requires it (a certified marriage certificate for a spouse; the requester's birth certificate for an adult child or sibling)
State Vital Records in Georgia: key facts
What Georgia says9
- Administering office
Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records.1
- Office location and hours
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Lobby 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday, except state holidays.1
- Mail orders
State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349.1
- Certificate fee
$25 for the first certified copy; $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1
- Processing time
8-10 weeks for mail-in requests.1
- Who may order
A child, parent, legal living spouse, or other next of kin of the decedent; A person appointed, or who has applied in good faith to become, executor or administrator of the estate; A person who shows a certified copy is needed to establish a legal right or claim (such as a beneficiary or insurance company).1
Legal representatives of any of the above; Members of the public may receive plain paper copies with the Social Security number redacted.1
- Filing deadline
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.2
- Public record
Any requester may obtain a copy of a death record with no waiting period; certified copies follow the eligibility rules.1
- Records available from
January 1919. For deaths before 1919, contact the county where the death occurred or the Georgia Archives.1
Governing law: O.C.G.A. 36-72A-2
Georgia vital records offices
Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records
Phone
Hours
Mailing address
Website
Tools for Settling an Estate in Georgia
Free tools for settling an estate in Georgia: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In Georgia, certified death certificates come from the Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital RecordsGeorgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $25Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $5Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital RecordsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Georgia: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 180 daysO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-30, 53-7-31, 53-7-32, 53-7-33Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsO.C.G.A. §§ 53-7-40, 53-7-41, 53-7-42, 53-7-43, 9-3-36Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
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